A production by first-year theatre/media students at the Charles Sturt University (CSU) School of Communication and Creative Industries in Bathurst this week explores what happens when online fantasy transcends reality. The Right to be Forgotten, a Cycle Productions devised theatre performance directed by lecturer Ms Kate Smith, is a dark parody that aims to provoke the audience to confront their own online reality. “Social media is an inescapable and often controversial aspect of daily life,” Ms Julia Patey, the assistant director, said. “Facebook stalking, ‘Frape’ (Facebook rape), identity theft, our online reputations and privacy - or lack of - are pivotal issues directly affecting many of us. As one character observes, ‘We have moved our lives online and it is risky. People forget that our data is being logged and there are people watching’. We challenge the audience to ask themselves, who is watching you online? What if you were given the chance to construct a new identity? How do you want to be remembered? The Right to be Forgotten is a blend of cabaret, circus, dance and comedy that explores these themes in a funny and insightful pastiche of the virtual world.”

A special weekend ‘camp’ for developers of applications for mobile devices such as phones and hand-held computers will be held at Charles Sturt University (CSU) in Bathurst on Saturday 7 and Sunday 8 May. Event organiser Mr Martin Hale is an adjunct senior lecturer in computing at CSU and the chief executive officer of The IT Masters Pty Ltd, a partner organisation with the University. “The development of games and applications for mobile phones and tablets is a booming area and we expect about 150 information technology professionals from around Australia will attend the Mobile Camp Oz event,” said Mr Hale. “Mobile Camp Oz is a free, developer community-driven event which allows people with interests in developing for mobile devices to come together in one location and interact with expert speakers who will deliver presentations on a wide range of mobile developer topics.” For more information, click here, or telephone 1300 885 685.

A Charles Sturt University (CSU) academic has been recognised for the vigorous pursuit of his profession to help improve health outcomes of rural and remote Australians. The Rotary 9700 District Vocational Excellence Award was presented to Professor Patrick Ball in front of several hundred Rotarians during the District’s annual conference, which was hosted by The Rotary Club of Orange North on Saturday 2 April. “While I am named on the award, this honour is made possible by team work,” said Professor Ball. “I could not do my job as Professor of Rural Pharmacy without the support and dedication of the entire pharmacy team at Charles Sturt University in Orange and Wagga Wagga.” The Vocational Excellence Award recognises those “who have demonstrated very high achievements in their vocation, and contributed significantly to the advancement of that vocation in their community, nationally or globally.”

Six separate ceremonies at Charles Sturt University (CSU) in Bathurst will see about 1 000 graduates awarded degrees and higher qualifications for their studies completed at the University by the end of 2010. As in past years, thousands of friends and family members are expected to visit Bathurst to share the graduation celebrations. The morning and afternoon ceremonies are on Wednesday 11 (Faculty of Business), Thursday 12 (Faculty of Education), and Friday 13 May (Faculties of Science and Arts). In a move to more closely align graduation ceremonies with the year of completion of studies, CSU will introduce graduations in December, starting in 2011.

A Charles Sturt University (CSU) postgraduate student is hoping people will take a ‘hands-on’ approach to finding beauty in germs when visiting an exhibition of her work at the Wagga Wagga Art Gallery. The exhibition, Pathogenesis by Wagga Wagga based textile artist Ms Marita Macklin, is inspired by the forms and textures of organisms that infect the human body.  Featuring sculptural pieces with embroidered silk and organza, the exhibition is designed to be touched. “I’d like people to see there is so much we don’t know about the microscopic world,” Ms Macklin said. “Something beautiful can be inspired by something we think of as being disgusting.” The exhibition is the culmination of two years of study for her Master of Arts Practice through the School of Communication and Creative Industries at CSU. “It’s definitely allowed me to develop my artwork to get to a professional standard and to delve into one area to push it as far as you can,” Ms Macklin said.

A former Charles Sturt University (CSU) student has discovered the value of research isn’t just the results but the skills learnt along the way. The Bachelor of Science (Agriculture) Honours, student from the School of Agricultural and Wine Sciences at CSU in Wagga Wagga, Mr David Gale investigated using compost as a replacement for synthetic fertilisers. His research involved a glasshouse trial at CSU in Wagga Wagga and a four month field trial in the Mekong Delta in Vietnam in late 2010. Mr Gale found compost can increase plant yields but because large volumes need to be applied, the strategy is not likely to be widely adopted in the short term. He said while the research has added to industry knowledge, the real benefit is a personal one. “People were right when they said that I couldn't expect to change the world through this project,” said Mr Gale. “But it's also about thinking critically about one aspect of the world in which we live, which ultimately results in a deeper thinking and understanding of the world as a whole.” Mr Gale is now a Graduate Trainee with NSW Primary Industries at the Elizabeth Macarthur Agricultural Institute at Camden.

A public lecture at Charles Sturt University (CSU) in Orange on Friday night 29 April will explore the creation and use of a range of technology and computer-generated images in modern film, television and other media. Mr Andrew Hagan, lecturer in animation and visual effects at the CSU School of Communication and Creative Industries will discuss ‘Making the imaginary real: Revealing insights into the mysterious world of animation and visual effects’. The Head of Campus at CSU in Orange, Professor Kevin Parton, said the free public lecture is open to members of the community and will provide insights into both the technology and career opportunities. The CSU Bachelor of Arts (Animation and Visual Effects) is the only Bachelor degree in Australia dedicated to the art of animation and visual effects. The public lecture starts at 6pm Friday 29 April in Lecture Theatre 3 at CSU in Orange.

A new scholarship will be added to the 2011 Charles Sturt University (CSU) Annual Scholarship Day at CSU’s Orange Campus on Friday 20 May. Eighteen scholarships are being awarded in all disciplines ranging from agricultural business and dentistry to pharmacy and physiotherapy. Among a number of new awards is the Abbott Scholarship for Australian Indigenous students of Pharmacy. This is a substantial scholarship to the value of $60,000 over four years. “Charles Sturt University is pleased to acknowledge the generous support of the Abbott Company, which was founded in the United States more than 120 years ago by Dr Wallace C Abbott, a practicing physician and pharmacy proprietor,” says Head of Campus Professor Kevin Parton. “Charles Sturt University is especially grateful to the donors of the many scholarships because, without them, many students would not be able to attend the University.”

Strong prices and demand for prime lambs have seen producers shift their focus from wool production during recent times. But Professor of Animal Production at Charles Sturt University (CSU) Peter Wynn is urging Riverina producers not to lose sight of the importance of wool in their farm business. “Wool production has been the backbone of Australia and will continue to be an integral component of farm business income, particularly across the Riverina,” said Professor Wynn, who is also a member of the EH Graham Centre for Agricultural Innovation – an alliance between CSU and the NSW Department of Primary Industries. “It is important producers continue to integrate wool production into their farming practices and not be heavily swayed by current market trends.” The Graham Centre together with the University of Sydney have organised a wool symposium to be held on Wednesday 18 May at Hay. “The symposium will provide an opportunity for wool growers to meet with key industry researchers and future leaders in the industry.” Forty final year animal science students from CSU and the University of Sydney are expected to attend the event. The program is available from the Graham Centre website here.